First stop was the moth shed where we found Virginia Tiger, Banded Tussock, and Painted Lichen moths, and an annual cicada. In pursuit of shade on a very hot day, we then hiked the Goosekiln Trail to the bridge at Lake Nummy where we enjoyed the breeze off the water. Bert Hixon gave us an overview of the trees and shrubs along the way. Dragonflies were abundant today: Slaty, Painted, and Widow Skimmers; Halloween Pennant; Blue Dasher; Swamp Darner; Eastern Pondhawk; and Blue Dasher. Butterflies included Eastern-tailed Blue, Spicebush Swallowtail, and Silver-spotted Skipper. But the highlight of the day was when we stumbled upon newly metamorphosed treefrogs of unknown species perched on cattail leaves. We learned by consulting with our absent leader, Mike Crewe, that the juveniles of our three treefrog species in the county (Northern Gray, Southern Gray, and Pine Barrens) are nearly identical in appearance. Leaders: Bert Hixon, Chris Marks, Catherine Busch, Mike Hannisian, and Dave Lord.
 |
| Juvenile treefrog [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
 |
| Painted Lichen Moth [Photo by Mike Hannisian] |
